The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WHO’S WHO IN THE CASE:
A guide to the key players in the widening corruption probe at Atlanta City Hall,
Mitzi Bickers: Bickers is a former member of the Atlanta Board of Education and is both a pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta and a political consultant. In 2009, she worked for Kasim Reed’s mayoral campaign and served in his administration from 2010 to 2013. Last August, federal investigators subpoenaed city records about Bickers.
Elvin “E.R.” Mitchell Jr.: Mitchell runs an Atlanta construction firm founded by his father. His company has worked for the DeKalb, Fulton and Atlanta public school systems, the Georgia World Congress Center and the Atlanta airport. From 2010 to 2015, one of Mitchell’s companies performed $7.3 million in emergency contract work for the city of Atlanta. Last November, federal investigators sought city records on Mitchell, and on Jan. 25 he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bribe unnamed officials for city contracts. As a condition of his plea, he agreed to assist the investigation. Mitchell once employed Bickers, and they have been involved in real estate transactions with each another.
Charles P. Richards Jr.: Richards’ construction company has used Mitchell as a minority subcontractor for city work. From 2010 to 2015, the city paid Richards’ company at least $9.8 million for work that included sidewalk repair, streetscaping and building renovation. On Feb. 8, Richards was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, and he is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday.
Shandarrick Barnes: Barnes worked for Bickers’ communications company as chief financial officer but served time in prison after being charged with racketeering involving a bail bond scheme. Last year he was charged with throwing a brick through the window of Mitchell’s home in 2015. He also allegedly placed dead rats around Mitchell’s house and wrote the words “ER, keep your mouth shut!!!” on the brick.